Bee-hive



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheep 1.

G. BRIGGS.

BEE HIVB.

No. 280,126. Patented June 26. 1883.

lMU I' 1H Tf I i y 2 Sheds-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

\ G. BRIGGS.

BBB HIVE.

No. 280,126. Paented June 26, 1883.

V 2 2 i k "1 frl\ 'I f e L L i w N mi J2 I I JJ i 1I" l' \g f 72W. z- 2f Z J t ii* iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiilii f l il I? W h 'L "M' yim'f AUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE BRIGGS, OF NEV SHARON, IOVA.

BEE-HiVE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 280,126, dated June 26, 1882,

' Application filed September 25, 1882. (No model.)

\ declare the following to be a full, clear, and exvact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appcrtains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, andtoletters or figures of reference marked thereon, `which form a part of this spccication.

Myinvention relates to improvements in beehives, which will be understood by the following description and claims.

In making my hives I prepare a thin mortar of plaster-of-paris,and mold the bottom and sides without joints in a suitable box. The top is molded separate so as to be removable, or, it' preferred, made oi' wood.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is aperspective view ofthe mold-box. Fig. 2 is atransverse section view ot' the same and/core on lines a' mof Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a plan view ot' mold-box'and core on lines z/ 1/ of Fig. 2. Fig. Jr. isa perspective view of lower section of core. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of my bee-hive complete. Fig. (i is a vertical longitudinal section view on lines z s, Fig. Fig. 7 is a transverse vertical view on lines f1 1i, Fig. Fig. S is a detached view ol' the separatingtrame.

Similar letters rel'er to similar paris in the drawings.` Y Fig. l, letter A is the mold-box ready for use. B is the upper section of the core. The stand or pedestal A is provided with edge 'and cen ter pieces, G G,which hold iirmly in position the mold-boxv and core when properly placed.

Fig. 2, letter A represents the two sides of the mold-box. A the stand or pedestal. I), and (la-re the upper and lower sections ot' the core. I) and I) are lines showing where the sections are mitered into parts or pieces, so

that by loosening the hooks -D the core. can

. trominsideot1 the moldedhive.

be separated into small pieces and'removcd The side walls are molded in space E and the door or bottom in space F.

Fig. 3 showswith appropriate letters the parts of the mold-box A which can be seen by a plan view when in position to receive the mortar. A is the beveled edge of the lower section thereof, which forms the sloping` table a on the outside walls of the molded hive. G is the center piece on pedestal A.

Fi g4, section G ofthe core is shown detached.

Fig. 5, letter a is my :molded bee-hive. Its separate top or cover b is provided with projecting edge b and drooping lip c for the protection of the hive. The bed-trame on stand f is made separate from the hive proper, and is so constructed with the porch g as to receive and hold the hive in proper position for the entrance of the bees at the opening 7l. e and e indicate the upper and lower stories of the hive. In Fig. 6 the swell or rest i on the under side of the cover b not only gives a proper slant to the top for shedding the rain, but provides forthe'ventilation of the hive by the ventilators d, Figs. 5 and 6. In thc upper story, e, the honey-frames k `are placed transversely on the` molded ledges 7., and in the lower story, e, longitudinally, the fames being made to suit either story. rlhc slats 0 Q are laid on t-hc iioor or bottom j of the hive, to support the movable box m, in which are suspended the e\o1nb-frames7f. The space a around the sides ot' the box m and under it is provided for sawdust, chat'f, or equivalent. r)She tube or bridge l1, connects openings l1 and h, by means ot' which the bees enter the lower story or section, and through the passage 11 to the upper story. The movable board l is used to separate the two stories or sections, and to support the ehaii" or sawdust or equivalent in the winter season.

Fig. 7 shows by appropriate letters the parts that can be seen in a transverse view of the h ivc.

Fig. S is a separating movable frame, q, which I use in limiting the bees to any given part ot the upper story. It is made ot' wood orother suitable material, covercdwith cloth, and t-he edges padded. The open space n` is filled with sawdust, chalt', orcquivalent. Before severe cold weather I remove from the upper story the frames or boxes t as eithermay be used) and close all openings thereto fromthc lower story, and cover the board l with sawdust,

ICO

chaff, or equivalent about six inches deep, thus providing in the lower story superior winterquarters for the bees.

Referring to Fig. l, I fill the mold-box i'ull of the thin mortar, making the surface level and smooth, as this is the bottom of the hive. In ten minutes the mixture is hard. The moldbox must then be reversed, the pedestal A/ re-v moved, the hooks D/ loosened, the mitered pieces taken out, and the box A lifted upward from the hive.

rlhe mold for making this hive is not claimed in this application, but may forni the subjectmatter for another patent.

I am aware that a lining for Ya bee-hive has been made of plaster-oi`paris by applying the same in a plastic state to an outer casing of wood, for purposes not referred to in my application. In my plaster-of-paris hives I preier the usual size and hexagonal forni,with upper and lower sections or stories. The walls may be about one inch in thickness. This material being a non-conductor of heat, the hive remains cool inside when exposed to the hot rays of the sun. A little. sand may be added to cheapen the material and not impair its superiority.

Some of the advantages obtained in my beeliive are cheapness, durability, and a proper and uniform temperature.

Vhat I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is v l.. As a new article otmanuiacture, the herein-described bee-hive, the walls of which are constructed entirely of molded plastero't'- pari s mortar, substantially as set forth.

2. -A rectangular plaster-of-paris bee-hive, the four walls and bottom thereof molded in one piece, and provided with a cover he ving swell' or rest 'L' and ventilators d d', substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. A beehive provided with an offset or table, a, on all four sides, whereby the lower part of the hive is enlarged, in combination with the interior box, in, of smaller size than the interior space of said lower part, to provide a space for packing, snbstantiallyas and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony whereof I aix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE 3R IGGS. fitnessesz Lnwrs Grrrnrr., L. R. BRIGGs. 

